The Childhood and Youth of Jesus · Part 2 · Chapter 230

Continuation of the childly table scene. Mary is strict with Me only out of her great love for Me! 13 June 1844

01] After the Infant was dressed, He again asked Cyrenius for another good piece of fish.

02] The Infant spoke in His way: "I certainly want a small piece;

03] but I do not dare to take it, because I do not want another scolding from mother!"

04] And Cyrenius spoke: "O my infinitely dearest Child! If I offer it to You, then the mother will not say anything!"

05] The Infant spoke naively to Cyrenius: "Yes, as long as you are there, she will certainly not say anything;

06] but when you are gone, I will get it twofold.

07] O you cannot believe how cross My mother can be when I do things against her will!"

08] Cyrenius smiled at this and then said to the Infant: "What would You say if I scolded Your strict mother for that; would she then not become more lenient towards You?"

09] And the Infant spoke: "I request you not to do such thing; for when you would be gone, I would a get a scolding that would be hard to match!"

10] Here Cyrenius asked the Infant further and spoke:

11] "O You my life, You my most heavenly Child! – If Your mother is that strict, how can you then still love her so greatly?"

12] And the Infant replied: "Because she is strict out of great love for Me; for she is constantly afraid that something bad could happen to Me.

13] And see, that is why I love her so much! Even if she is sometimes strict without reason, she still means well, and therefore surely deserves My love!

14] See, she would be strict with Me if I ate another piece of fish, because she believes it could be harmful to Me.

15] It would certainly not harm Me; however, I Myself do not want to sin against the good intentions of My mother.

16] Oh – I can also deny Myself and can adhere to My mother's rules, if it is necessary;

17] but when it is not necessary, then I can also do what I want.

18] And then it does not bother Me, when My mother scolds Me a little.

19] However, it is not absolutely necessary for Me to have another piece of fish; therefore I will deny Myself, so that mother will be unable to get at Me, when you are gone."

20] Here Cyrenius again asked the Infant and said with all possible love:

21] "Yes, You my Life! – If You have this much respect for Your earthly mother, then why did You not allow her to dress You?

22] Will she not scold You for this, when I am gone?"

23] And the Infant spoke: "Certainly; but I will not bother about it too much!

24] For, as I told you earlier, sometimes I do whatever I want, and do not ask whether My mother considers it right or not.

25] However, My mother can still scold Me for that, for besides, she has a good opinion

and good intentions."

26] Here Mary smiled and jokingly said: "Well, You just wait until we are alone,

27] and I will give You a proper scolding for accusing me in this manner to Cyrenius!"

28] And the Infant smiled and said: "Oh – you do not really mean it! I easily notice when you are really angry, – for your face gets quite red; however, now you are as white as Me, and then you are never angry."

29] Everyone laughed at this remark, and the Infant also smiled. Mary fervently held the Infant and hugged Him beyond all measure.